A vehicle roof bow assembly includes a roof bow member and a pair of telescoping mounting brackets. The roof bow member is configured to extend in a lateral side-to-side direction along an underside of a vehicle roof panel. The telescoping mounting brackets each have a first end and a second end with the first end having a side rail attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to a first vehicle roof side rail and a roof panel attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to the vehicle roof panel and the second end being attached to the roof bow member. The telescoping mounting brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the roof bow member.